History By Design: Glencoe Central and Crow Island schools — so different but only a year apart

The adjacent communities of Glencoe and Winnetka, despite sharing similar demographics, constructed two elementary schools, Central School and Crow Island School, within a year of each other, yet with remarkably distinct architectural philosophies. Central School in Glencoe, built in 1939, exemplifies a commitment to traditional design, mirroring the village's desire to preserve its historical residential character. This architectural choice aligns with the colonial revival style previously adopted by South School and further reinforced by the reconstruction of Williamsburg in the 1920s, which popularized America's early architectural heritage. Central School, designed by Armstrong, Furst & Tilton, presents as a grand, symmetrical two-story brick edifice featuring a prominent entrance with columns and a curved broken pediment, reflecting the prevalent colonial architectural tastes of the time. Architects John Armstrong and William Furst, both Glencoe residents, were also responsible for designs at the University of Chicago's Laboratory School. The colonial style's enduring popularity in Glencoe is further evidenced by the construction of the red brick library before World War II and the Village Hall in 1951. In stark contrast, Winnetka's Crow Island School, built in 1940, embodies a progressive educational philosophy championed by Superintendent Carleton Washburne. Designed collaboratively by Eliel and Eero Saarinen and the emerging Chicago firm Perkins, Wheeler & Will, Crow Island School quickly gained national recognition as a pioneering example of educational architecture. Eliel Saarinen, known for his work at Cranbrook Schools of Art, was joined by his son Eero in the firm shortly before this commission. Larry Perkins, son of acclaimed school architect Dwight Perkins, was also a key figure. Crow Island School was conceived as a direct architectural response to progressive education principles, with its design centered entirely around the child's needs. The planning process was highly inclusive, involving the School Board, teachers, custodial staff, and even children, who reviewed a 3-by-3-foot model of the proposed building. This collaborative approach aimed to create a highly functional and engaging learning environment. Every aspect of Crow Island School was scaled to the child. Classrooms feature low windows facing south and west to maximize natural light. Furniture was specifically designed to adapt to growing children, including auditorium seating that increased in size towards the rear. The emphasis on flexibility allowed for light, custom-designed furniture to be easily moved, facilitating diverse learning activities such as building windmills or trains to teach geography and math. Each classroom included a dedicated small workshop for individual projects, its own bathroom, and an adjoining courtyard, promoting a holistic and hands-on learning experience. The innovative design of Crow Island School served as a springboard for Perkins & Will, establishing them as leading school architects in the Chicago area, across the United States, and eventually internationally. Today, Crow Island School is recognized as a national historic landmark, a testament to its significant contribution to educational architecture. #ArchitecturalHistory #SchoolDesign #ProgressiveEducation #ColonialRevival #ModernArchitecture #Winnetka #Glencoe #Saarinen #PerkinsAndWill #ArchitecturalHistory #SchoolDesign #ProgressiveEducation #ColonialRevival #ModernArchitecture #Winnetka #Glencoe #Saarinen #PerkinsAndWill